The Abandoned Park of Chicago

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

Worldwide | Sunday, October 17, 2010 | flickr photos

My name is Nathanael Daubert and I am 18 years old and a college student at Robert Morris University, School of Art and Design. Ever since I was little, I was always the creative one in the family. However, I never really knew what I wanted to do with that, that is, until I moved to Elgin, IL. My new neighbor was a professional photographer, and his photos intrigued me. Since the day I met him, I knew that being a photographer was the thing for me. One time, my neighbor asked me if I wanted to assist him on a photo shoot, and I was so excited. Unfortunately, the second day of the shoot, I bumped into a flash and it broke. My neighbor and I are still friends, however after that incident I was never invited to do another shoot with him, again. However, the experience did not discourage me, instead it helped me learn something new. I will let nothing get in my way of letting my dreams become reality. I see every obstacle as a chance to learn something new.

My second passion is travel. I love to travel. Last year, I did a year abroad in Germany so I could learn about a new culture, my heritage, and travel Europe to see and photograph all the sites that I could. I want to see the world before I die, that's pretty much all that's on my bucket list; well, that and sky diving.

My photos were taken in the beautiful city of Chicago. I was out and about walking one day when I discovered a park. No one was there and it felt very remote, even though it was right in the middle of the city. I knew right away that this was the place I wanted to photograph as my place for the World Nomads Travel Photography Scholarship. These pictures really show how abandoned the park was, even though there are definate signs of use, as if it was once adored by children, and then forgotten.